Piedmont Lithium Announces Q2’24 North American Lithium Operational Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq: PLL) announced Q2'24 operational results for its jointly owned North American Lithium (NAL) mine. Key highlights include:

• Shipped approximately 14,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate in Q2'24
• Record quarterly production of 49,660 dmt, up 23% from Q1'24
• New quarterly highs: 68% lithium recovery and 83% process plant utilization
• Targeting 96,500 dmt shipments in H2'24
• Crushed ore dome now operational, expected to improve production and utilization

NAL achieved significant progress towards steady-state production, with June seeing 91% mill utilization and a single-day production record of 919 dmt. Piedmont aims to increase shipments to contract customers in H2'24.

Positive

• Record quarterly production of 49,660 dmt, up 23% from Q1'24
• New quarterly highs: 68% lithium recovery and 83% process plant utilization
• Targeting 96,500 dmt shipments in H2'24
• June saw 91% mill utilization and a single-day production record of 919 dmt
• Unit operating costs decreased by 2% quarter over quarter on a tons sold basis
• Crushed ore dome commissioning completed, expected to further improve production and utilization

Negative

• Shipped 14,000 dmt in Q2'24, down 10% from 15,500 dmt in Q1'24
• One shipment of approximately 14,000 dmt delayed from late Q2'24 to early Q3'24 due to port logistical issues
• Ore mined decreased by 33% compared to Q1'24

Insights

Financial Analyst

Piedmont Lithium's Q2'24 operational results for North American Lithium (NAL) demonstrate significant progress in production ramp-up, albeit with some logistical challenges. The record quarterly production of 49,660 dmt, up 23% from Q1'24, indicates strong operational improvements. However, the shipment of only 14,000 dmt out of the targeted 96,500 dmt for H2'24 raises concerns about meeting full-year targets.

Key positives include:

• Improved lithium recovery rate of 68%
• Increased process plant utilization at 83%
• Commissioning of the crushed ore dome, expected to further boost production

Challenges to note:

• 10% quarter-over-quarter decrease in concentrate shipped
• Delayed shipment of 14,000 dmt due to port logistical issues
• 33% decrease in ore mined compared to Q1'24

The 2% decrease in unit operating costs is a positive sign for profitability. However, investors should closely monitor Piedmont's ability to meet its H2'24 shipment target of 96,500 dmt, as current performance suggests potential shortfalls. The company's focus on prioritizing contract customer shipments is prudent but may impact short-term revenue recognition.

Market Research Analyst

The lithium market context is important for interpreting Piedmont's results. As one of the few active spodumene mines globally, NAL's strategic importance cannot be overstated. The production ramp-up comes at a time when the lithium market is experiencing volatility, with prices having declined from 2023 peaks but still remaining historically high.

Key market considerations:

• Growing demand from EV manufacturers and energy storage sectors
• Geopolitical push for domestic lithium production in North America
• Potential supply constraints as new projects face delays

Piedmont's position as a North American supplier aligns well with the U.S. government's efforts to secure critical minerals domestically. The company's multi-asset strategy, including projects in Quebec and Ghana, provides geographical diversification, potentially mitigating risks associated with any single operation.

However, investors should be aware of the competitive landscape. As more lithium projects come online globally, Piedmont will need to maintain cost competitiveness and production efficiency. The 2% reduction in unit operating costs is a step in the right direction, but continuous improvement will be necessary to maintain a strong market position.

The appointment of Lucas Dow as the new Managing Director and CEO of Sayona Mining could bring fresh perspectives to the joint venture, potentially influencing future strategic decisions and operational improvements at NAL.

• Piedmont shipped approximately 14,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate in Q2’24; targets 96,500 dmt in H2’24
• Record quarterly production of 49,660 dmt, up 23% from Q1’24 as NAL nears H2’24 steady-state production target
• New quarterly highs achieved for lithium recovery at 68% and process plant utilization at 83%
• Crushed ore dome now operational and expected to further improve production levels and utilization rates

BELMONT, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Piedmont Lithium (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading North American supplier of lithium products critical to the U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, today announced that it shipped approximately 14,000 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of spodumene concentrate in Q2’24 as its jointly owned North American Lithium (“NAL”) achieved new quarterly production and operations records.¹ NAL, North America’s largest-producing spodumene mine, is jointly owned by Piedmont (25%) and Sayona Mining Limited (75%) (ASX: SYA). Per Piedmont’s NAL offtake agreement, the Company is targeting shipments of approximately 96,500 dmt of spodumene concentrate in H2’24 to support the full-year target of approximately 126,000 dmt, subject to shipping logistics, port and weather conditions, and customer requirements. Piedmont is prioritizing contract customer shipments as NAL nears the full run-rate production target of H2’24.

Figure 1: North American Lithium Concentrate Production (Graphic: Business Wire)

Q2’24 Operational Results Summary

Piedmont Lithium	Unit	Q2’24	Q1’24	QoQ Variance	2024 YTD	2023 YTD	YoY Variance
Concentrate Shipped	kt dmt	14.0	15.5	(10%)	29.5	-	n/m2
Average Grade	% Li2O	~5.5%	~5.5%	-	~5.5%	-	n/m
NAL1	Unit	Q2’24	Q1’24	QoQ Variance	2024 YTD	2023 YTD	YoY Variance
Ore Mined	kt wmt	233.7	351.1	(33%)	584.8	338.4	73%
Concentrate Produced	kt dmt	49.7	40.4	23%	90.1	33.1	172%
Plant (Mill) Utilization	%	83%	73%	10%	79%	69%	10%
Lithium Recovery	%	68%	67%	1%	68%	56%	12%
Concentrate Shipped	kt dmt	27.7	58.1	(52%)	85.8	-	n/m
2 Not meaningful

In Q2’24, NAL produced 49,660 dmt and shipped 27,729 dmt, of which approximately 14,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate were sold to Piedmont and shipped to customers. An additional Piedmont shipment totaling approximately 14,000 dmt was delayed from late Q2’24 to early Q3’24 due to port logistical issues.

NAL increased quarterly production by nearly 23% in Q2’24 compared to the prior quarter. Recovery rates improved to 68% during Q2’24, and mill utilization increased to 83%, up 10% from the previous quarter despite planned downtime in April to tie in the crushed ore dome. Notably, in June, mill utilization reached a record 91%, and operations set a single-day production record of 919 dmt of spodumene concentrate. Unit operating costs decreased by 2% quarter over quarter on a tons sold basis. Crushed ore dome commissioning was completed in Q2’24 and is expected to result in further improvements to production levels and utilization rates.

“As one of only a handful of active spodumene mines globally, NAL is a highly strategic asset with excellent operational performance as the ramp-up to steady-state production continues. With ongoing quarterly production records and the recent high-grade drill results of the 2023-2024 drill campaign, NAL has demonstrated significant progress and future potential,” said Keith Phillips, President and CEO of Piedmont Lithium. “As we enter the second half of the year, we look forward to increasing our shipments to contract customers. We welcome Mr. Lucas Dow as the newly appointed Managing Director and CEO of our partner, Sayona Mining, and we thank Mr. James Brown for his prior leadership.”

___________________
¹ All references to information about or related to NAL are from the Quarterly Activities Report June 2024, filed with the ASX by Sayona Mining Limited on 25 July 2024.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL) is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. Our goal is to become one of the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America by processing spodumene concentrate produced from assets where we hold an economic interest. Our projects include our Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium projects in the United States and partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining (ASX: SYA) and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium (AIM: ALL; ASX: A11). We believe these geographically diversified operations help us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward energy independence and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. For more information, follow us on Twitter @PiedmontLithium and visit www.piedmontlithium.com.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Piedmont’s public disclosures are governed by the U.S. Exchange Act of 1934, including Regulation S-K 1300 thereunder, whereas NAL discloses estimates of “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred” mineral resources as such terms are used in the JORC Code and Canada’s National Instrument 43-101. Although S-K 1300, the JORC Code, and NI 43-101 have similar goals in terms of conveying an appropriate level of confidence in the disclosures being reported, they at times embody different approaches or definitions. Consequently, investors are cautioned that public disclosures by NAL prepared in accordance with the JORC Code or NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies, including Piedmont, subject to S-K 1300 and the other reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The statements in the link below were prepared by, and made by, NAL. The following disclosures are not statements of Piedmont and have not been independently verified by Piedmont. NAL is not subject to U.S. reporting requirements or obligations, and investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these statements. NAL’s original announcements can be found here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development, construction, production, and ramp up activities or the timing of these activities, of Sayona Mining, Atlantic Lithium and Piedmont, including regarding operating cost improvements, regulatory approvals or permits or the timing thereof, project spend, timing of completion of capital projects and the effects of such projects, timing of planned deliveries and ability to improve productivity; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; Piedmont’s potential acquisition of an ownership interest in Ewoyaa, including financing options, the timing of final investment decisions and project spend; strategy; market cycles; lithium prices; equity values; costs of new project developments; lithium shortages; lithium market recovery; certain Company approvals, permitting, partnering and debt funding discussions; a recently completed workforce reduction; expense management and possible or assumed future financial results or financial condition. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont, Sayona Mining or Atlantic Lithium may be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s, Sayona Mining’s or Atlantic Lithium’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays related to our projects as well as the projects of our partners in Quebec and Ghana, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data and projections related to Sayona Mining or Atlantic Lithium, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and our ability to obtain necessary permits, (xiv) our ability to deliver on our expense management efforts and other cost improvements expected upon completion of key capital projects as well as our future cash payments associated with these initiatives and potential future impairment charges, and (xv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this press release and actual events, results, performance, and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections and estimates presented in this press release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections, and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240725187668/en/

Erin Sanders

SVP, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

T: +1 704 575 2549

E: esanders@piedmontlithium.com

Source: Piedmont Lithium

FAQ

What was Piedmont Lithium's (PLL) spodumene concentrate production in Q2 2024?

Piedmont Lithium's jointly owned North American Lithium (NAL) mine produced a record 49,660 dmt of spodumene concentrate in Q2 2024, up 23% from Q1 2024.

How much spodumene concentrate did Piedmont Lithium (PLL) ship in Q2 2024?

Piedmont Lithium shipped approximately 14,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate in Q2 2024, with an additional 14,000 dmt shipment delayed to early Q3 2024 due to port logistical issues.

What are Piedmont Lithium's (PLL) shipment targets for H2 2024?

Piedmont Lithium is targeting shipments of approximately 96,500 dmt of spodumene concentrate in H2 2024, subject to shipping logistics, port and weather conditions, and customer requirements.

What improvements did Piedmont Lithium (PLL) achieve in lithium recovery and plant utilization in Q2 2024?

Piedmont Lithium achieved new quarterly highs with 68% lithium recovery and 83% process plant utilization in Q2 2024. In June, mill utilization reached a record 91%.